Penthouse will launch the world’s first 3D porn channel

Actually, it took longer than we thought it would. Penthouse Magazine announced it would launch the first 3D porn channel on March 1. According to its press release, consumers will have access to 30 hours of content that runs from 11pm until 5am and to be refreshed on a monthly basis.

“We are very excited about the launch of the Penthouse 3D channel. Our goal is always to deliver the latest technology on the world’s best platform,” says CEO of FriendFinder Networks Marc Bell. Penthouse is a division of FriendFinder Networks.

Rival adult publisher Hustler announced last month it was also developing its own branded HD channel that would additionally include 3D content. A launch for Europe audiences in March is planned. And this isn’t the first time Penthouse has beaten Hustler when it comes to digital programming: It already offers three HD channels and will get a leg up (pun intended) on 3D as well. But while it beat its main competition to the 3D arena and has won the coveted title of world’s first 3D porn channel, this isn’t the first time adult content has broke into the third dimension. PC Mag claims that a small company called Bad Girls in 3D released footage (along with purchase of a 60-inch HDTV, HDMI cable, 3D glasses, batteries – all for the low price of $4,000), but did not offer its own branded channel.

According to PC Mag, adult content providers have been wary about the jump to 3D for the same reason many other distributors are: The demand is still iffy. “We’ve talked about it, but until there’s a [popular] player for home use, it doesn’t make much sense for us [to pursue it],” said a Vivid Entertainment spokeswoman at this year’s AVN conference. She also noted that the accompanying eyewear is “not very sexy.”

If adult content providers can find a strong 3D following, it would be in luck. It’s been increasingly difficult to get people to pay for porn, and a branded channel with material consumers can’t access could help distributors increase their profits. Of course, there’s also the possibility people won’t be willing to shell out for the stuff – free is a pretty difficult price to beat.